Even though some of the Capital City's distinguished scholars knew that the Duke of Dai now excelled in both poetry and painting, that was hardly the first thing Princess Xinping would notice. Or rather, the moment she saw what the painting depicted, she was too furious to think.
The painting showed only two people, both young women, facing each other.
One had a graceful figure and a joyful expression, wearing a phoenix crown and bridal robes. Though it was an ink wash painting, she was unmistakably a bride. The young woman opposite her wore flowing Daoist robes and held a fly whisk. She was equally graceful, but clearly a female Daoist.
Both faces were vividly rendered, and both were Princess Xinping's own.
What was Su Ziji trying to convey by painting these two women?
"Was he mocking me? Had he guessed my feelings and deliberately sent someone with this painting to ridicule me?"
Princess Xinping's heart ached with bitter hurt, and her eyes reddened. If Su Ziji had been standing before her, she would surely have done more than glare at the messenger-she would have lunged at the painter himself.
This is too much! Is this how you trample on my heart?
She certainly did not believe that Su Ziji had deliberately painted these two women and sent the picture to her as a gesture of goodwill!
A bride? Surely he isn't trying to tell me he wants to marry me? Obviously, that's impossible! We're aunt and nephew. He knows perfectly well that there can never be any possibility of that! Why else would he deliberately have this brought before me, if not to stab at my heart?
With that thought, Princess Xinping shook the painting in her hand and sneered at the Wild Daoist. "Good. Absolutely splendid! Your master